China and Kenya have agreed to cooperate on multiple development fronts following President William Ruto‘s meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping.

Ruto is in the Asian country for a five-day state visit and has so far held talks with various figures of the Chinese government.

His latest meeting was with Jinping, where various agendas were discussed and cooperation promised.

“The two sides agreed that China and Kenya have enjoyed an ever stronger traditional friendship; that their cooperation over the past 62 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations has invigorated the spirit of China-Africa friendship and cooperation characterized by sincere friendship and equality, win-win for mutual benefit and common development, fairness and justice, progress with the times, and openness and inclusiveness,” a statement released by China’s Foreign Affairs Ministry said.

The two sides agreed that, in a world undergoing changes unseen in a century, important visions and proposals, proposals，including building a community with a shared future for mankind, high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI), and the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI), are gaining influence and appeal,” it added.

Building a China-Kenya community with a shared future for the new era was another matter that was discussed.

“The two sides agreed to continue to follow the strategic guidance of head-of-state diplomacy and maintain close high-level exchanges. They will deepen exchanges and cooperation at all levels and across all fields, including between central and local governments, political parties, and legislative bodies, and strengthen experience-sharing on governance and development.

“The two sides firmly support each other’s independent choice of development paths suited to their own national conditions. They reaffirmed their solid mutual support on issues pertaining to each other’s core interests and major concerns and resolutely oppose external oppression and interference,” the statement continued to say.

China and Kenya are also satisfied with the fruitful results they have achieved in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

They also agreed to make full use of the mechanisms such as the Joint Committee on Trade, Investment, Economic and Technical Cooperation and the China-Kenya Joint Working Group to better identify the needs for economic and trade cooperation.

Infrastructure and industries

Kenya and China will drive the integrated development of infrastructure and industries through implementing major projects such as the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway. Promote the development of growth circles for China-Africa industrial cooperation and work together to build a China-Africa network featuring land-sea links and coordinated development.

“China values Kenya’s role as a financial hub in East Africa and will support Chinese financial institutions in setting up branches in Kenya and explore new and diversified forms of financial cooperation with Kenya. China is ready to explore cooperation with Kenya on panda bonds in compliance with market rules and relevant laws and regulations,” the statement said.

The ministry’s statement added that China speaks highly of Kenya’s successful hosting of the inaugural Africa Climate Summit in September 2023 and commends President Ruto’s contribution to promoting African unity in addressing climate change.

“The two sides reiterated the importance of the Nairobi Declaration and the Declaration on China-Africa Cooperation on Combating Climate Change and will explore ways to deepen green cooperation and protect Planet Earth, the home of all humanity,” the statement affirmed.